生物碱是存在于自然界中一类含氮的杂环小分子天然化合物, 约有1.2万多种。其代谢途径往往受到特异酶类的调控, 因此通过对某些特征性关键酶的定位可以确定生物碱的合成、转运和储藏相关的特定细胞或亚细胞结构。该文以异喹啉类生物碱血根碱为主, 对其生物合成、运输和储藏相关的细胞和亚细胞水平上的研究结果进行概述。异喹啉生物碱生物合成主要发生在皮层、筛管、伴胞和乳汁管等组织细胞中, 囊泡、液泡、细胞质基质、微粒体、内质网和叶绿体类囊体等众多细胞器参与生物碱的运输和储存。同时对药用植物中常见的其它几类主要生物碱的相关研究结果进行了讨论。

Plants contain about 12 000 kinds of alkaloids. Alkaloids belong to small-molecule nitrogen heterocyclic compounds. The metabolic pathways of alkaloids are controlled by specific enzymes, and the locations of some key enzymes can determine the cellular and subcellular structure of specific cells where synthesis, transport and storage of alkaloid take place. Here we summarize findings for the isoquinoline alkaloid sanguinarine in biosynthesis, transport and storage functions at the cellular and subcellular levels. Biosynthesis of isoquinoline alkaloids mainly occurs in the cortex, sieve tubes, companion cells, and latex tubes. Vesicles, vacuoles, cytoplasmic matrix, microsomes, endoplasmic reticulum, and chloroplast thylakoid are involved in transport and storage. We discuss related results of several other types of alkaloids found in medicinal plants.